Stripers Combine on Shutout in Nightcap, Split Doubleheader with Durham

Press Release

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia – The Gwinnett Stripers (23-24, 61-60) split a doubleheader with the Durham Bulls (27-19, 55-66) on Wednesday night at Gwinnett Field, losing 4-2 in the opener and winning 7-0 in the nightcap. Four Gwinnett pitchers combined on a six-hitter in game two.

Decisive Plays (Game 1):  Durham struck early with a three-run first inning thanks to RBIs by Jack Suwinski and Tatem Levins. The Bulls pushed across another run with an Austin Slater solo homer (3) to make it 4-0 in the third. Both sides went quiet until the sixth inning when Lizandro Espinoza cranked a two-run shot (1) in his Triple-A debut to cut the deficit in half at 4-2. Gwinnett had the tying run at the plate but couldn't come any closer in a 4-2 defeat.

Key Contributors (Game 1): Espinoza (2-for-3, homer, 2 RBIs) had a multi-hit effort in his first Triple-A contest. For Durham, Slater (1-for-4, homer, RBI) had the only RBI extra-base hit.

Decisive Plays (Game 2):  Gwinnett struck first with a Rowdy Tellez RBI single in the first inning to seize a 1-0 lead. In the second, Patrick Clohisy added an RBI single of his own to make it 2-0. Gwinnett's advantage continued to grow in the fourth with a Brewer Hicklen RBI infield single followed by a two-run homer by Tellez (14) to make it 5-0. Two more runs scored on a Brett Wisely single in the sixth to make it 7-0.

Key Contributors (Game 2): Tellez (2-for-4, homer, 3 RBIs) drove in three of the seven runs. Bailey Falter, Blake Burkhalter (W, 3-1), Tyler Uberstine and Ian Hamilton combined for the seven-inning shutout. Homer Bush Jr. (2-for-3, double) had the lone multi-hit effort for Durham.

Noteworthy: The Stripers are now 10-6 in doubleheaders. Game two was Gwinnett’s eighth shutout victory of the season. Game one saw Espinoza become the second Striper to homer in his Triple-A debut this season, joining Clohisy (July 11 vs. Memphis).

Next Game (Thursday, August 20):  Gwinnett Stripers vs. Durham Bulls, 7:05 p.m. ET at Gwinnett Field. It's Throwback Thursday, 1920s Night. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. TV Broadcast: Peachtree Sports Network (tape delay, airs August 23 at 3:00 p.m.). Live Video Stream: Bally Sports Live.